THERE are some things you have to see to believe - and when film director John Worland got a glimpse of how witchcraft suspects were treated, he needed to do something about it.

Mr Worland has won the approval of Colchester Council to instal a plaque near the gates of Castle Park, remembering the first 33 victims of witch hunting in the 1600s.

Although the acts of notorious witch hunters, Matthew Hopkins and John Stearne, took place hundreds of years ago, Mr Worland believes it is never too late to raise awareness.

His interest in the topic started brewing about 12 years ago, when he was a temporary director at Signals Media Arts Centre.

He said: "During that time there was a group of young people who wanted to make a ghost story film based on the witch trials.

"They did some research at Colchester Castle and it suddenly hit me there hadn't been a historically accurate drama.

"It got me thinking about making one and I partnered up with the Headgate Theatre to make Witch Finder."

With the help of a lottery grant, he co-produced and directed the film with Kerry King from the Headgate Theatre, which was released in January this year.

He said: "From then I became absolutely hooked, you couldn't make up the absolute tragedy.

"It's just appalling what these poor unfortunates experienced."

John Stearne was an associate of Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins, a witch-hunter active during the English Civil War.

From Bury St Edmunds, Stearne was 10 years older than Hopkins. He met Hopkins in Manningtree and appointed him as his assistant.

A trial was held in Chelmsford in July 1645 for a number of people accused of witchcraft and sorcery.

Some 33 women were incarcerated in Colchester Castle and four died awaiting trial.

Determined to bring justice to these victims, Mr Worland went on a quest to bring home one of the most famous.

"More recently I started to research Ursula Kemp after watching a documentary on her," he said.

"I had lots of brick walls to break down as the skeleton was found in 1963 and was in a private collection, the owner died and the skeleton was part of his estate.

"I had to speak to the trust who owned the estate, it got complicated but I got it back and buried it in St Osyth."

Ursula Kemp was born in St Osyth in the 1500s, she was called upon by her neighbours to heal sicknesses.

She was later blamed for intentionally causing illness and death, eventually being tried for witchcraft at Chelmsford in February 1582.

Mr Worland said it was an eye-opening experience, knowing what these women faced alone.

"It was a mixture of emotions," he said. "There was some anger even though it happened some time ago.

"It was incredibly sad they went through this on their own and had no one to speak for them.

"They were very easy targets as it was during the English Civil War and most of the men were away fighting."

The witchcraft trials lasted about half an hour each - just 30 minutes to decide their fate.

Mr Worland said: "The normal checks and balances of the justice system were not in place. When they came to be tried there were no judges available.

"Even though it was so many years ago there are lessons to be learned as in some places in the world people are still executed for witchcraft."

A plaque remembering the first 33 victims of witch hunting is now being considered for Colchester.

The only effort made to remember them is the laying of flowers outside the gates of Castle Park, and Mr Worland said a permanent memorial is needed.

Council leader, Paul Smith, said it was a fantastic idea and a fitting tribute, and Mr Worland felt it was a brilliant response.

He added: "I was absolutely over the moon, I didn't know what response I was likely to get.

"I had contacted all 61 councillors before that meeting and there was support across all parties, so I am hopeful."